Combination tool for removing a can lid and cutting the remainder of the can into samll pieces



Nov. 22, 1966 R. VAN WAGNER 3,286,345

COMBINATION TOOL FOR REMOVING A CAN LID AND CUTTING THE REMAINDER OF THE CAN INTO SMALL PIECES Filed Nov. 1, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ROLLO VAN WAGNER ATTORNEYS Nov. 22, 1966 COMBINATION TOOL FOR REMOVING A Filed Nov. 1. 1965 Jill' VAN WAGNER CAN LID AND CUTTING THE REMAINDER OF THE CAN INTO SMALL PIECES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ROLL 0 WIN WA GWER BY OM/flaly a flaw/Ma ATTORNEYS Nov. 22, 1966 R. VAN WAGNER 3,286,345

COMBINATION TOOL FOR REMOVING A CAN LID AND CUTTING THE REMAINDER OF THE CAN INTO SMALL PIECES Filed NOV. 1, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR ROLLO VAN WAGNER BY am m a" 0 ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent 3,286,345 COMBINATION TOOL FOR REMOVING A CAN LID AND CUTTING THE REMAINDER OF THE CAN INTO SMALL PIECES Rollo Van Wagner, Rte. 1,New Haven, Ohio Filed Nov. 1, 1965, Ser. No. 505,836 14 Claims. (Cl. 30--4) The present invention relates as indicated to a combination can opener and cutter and more particularly to an electric can opener having means integrally associated therewith for receiving the can with the top removed therefrom and cutting the same into a series of relatively small pieces which can be conveniently collected for subsequent disposal.

In present commercially available electric can openers, the can is placed on the device and normally automatically clamped thereon during the severing and removal of the top of the can. In all of the presently available openers which applicant is familiar with, the can is removed from the unit following separation of the top, the contents are emptied from the can, and the can subsequently thrown to a waste receptacle or the like for ultimate disposal. With the apparent ever-increasing use of canned foods, the storage of empty cans between trash collections is a significant problem both from a sheer volume stand-point and the sanitation problem such used cans create. In regard to the latter consideration, the cans when thus discarded are generally intheir original shape, with the cans thus serving when stored outdoors as a potential breeding place for insects and the like.

"With the above in mind, a primary object of the present invention is to provide an electrically operated can opener having the further facility of cutting the can, following removal of the top thereof, so as to form a relatively narrow continuous strip, with the strip being thereafter severed to form relatively small pieces which can be conveniently received by a removable tray or the like associated with the device.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a unit of the type described having mounted at one side thereof the can top removing mechanism and its. other side a slitting and cutting assembly adapted to receive the topless and empty can and to cut the same into a continuous strip, with the thus formed strip thereafter passing to a rotating wheel the peripheral teeth of which sever the strip into a plurality of relatively small pieces.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a combination can opener and cutter wherein the can top removal and cutting mechanism thereof are driven from asingle source of power through a simple gear drive arrangement.

Another objectof the present inventionv is to provide a means for continually urging the can toward the slitting area to insure the formation of a continuous strip of substantially uniform width the leading end of which passes into a rotating cutter for severing the strip into relatively small pieces.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the dual function indicated which is relatively simple in construction, convenient to use and economical to manufacture.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following descrip tion proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed draw- In said annexed drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the back of the device, with the back cover being removed to expose the slitting and cutting components;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the device, show 7 ing the can opening mechanism;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 44 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view of a portion of FIG. 1, with a can being illustrated mounted on the device and being slit and severed in accordance with the present invention, and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 66 of FIG. 5.

Referring now in more detail to the drawings, wherein like parts are indicated by like reference numerals, the device of the present invention includes a housing 10 which may be conveniently molded from plastic, as shown, or other suitable material. A base 11 is preferably integrally formed with the bottom wall 12 of the housing, with connecting walls 13 and 14 therebetween being slotted as commonly shown at 15 to admit cooling air into the interior of the housing. The bottom wall 12 is. preferably similarly provided with openings (not shown) through which ambient air may pass for cooling the components mounted interiorly of the housing.

A cover 16 is mounted on the housing 10 at the rear thereof, with the cover being formed with a continuous groove 17 for receiving a bead or shoulder 18 formed on the housing at such end. The cover 16 serves to enclose the can slitting and cutting mechanism when the same is not in use and can be quickly removed to expose such mechanism for use. If desired, the cover 16- may be provided with a suitable handle or the like to facilitate rem-oval and replacement thereof.

A vertical partition plate 20* is mounted within the housing 10 and suitably spaced from the top and bottom walls thereof. The plate 20 is mounted in the housing by means of a plurality of spacing rods commonly designated at 21, there being four such rods in the form shown, relatively adjacent each corner of the partition plate. Each spacing rod is splined as indicated at 22 at the opposite end thereof for tight frictional engagement in bosses commonly designated at 23 formed on the inside of the front wall 24 of the housing. The ends of the spacing rods 21 which mount the partition plate are slightly reduced as indicated at 25 for disposition in recesses 26 formed in the plate 20, with the spacer rods being bored and threaded at such ends to receive cap screws 27 by means of which the plate 20 can be firmly mounted on the several spacing rods.

A motor 30 is mounted on side wall 31 of the housing, with the latter being formed with a plurality of threaded bosses commonly designated at 32 equal in number and spacing to motor mounting flanges 33. Mounting bolts 34 and washers 35 are provided for rigidly mounting the toward the front wall 24 mounting a spur drive gear 37 which is keyed or otherwise non-rotatably mounted on the drive shaft. The spur gear 37 in turn drives spur gear 38 which is mounted on the shaft 39 by keying or the like, as shown in FIG. 3. The adjacent end of I the shaft 36 is rotatably carried by a bushing 40 which is mounted by press fitting or the like in an opening provided therefor in boss 41 formed on the housing wall 24. As best seen in FlG. 3, the adjacent end of the shaft 39 is similarly mountel in bushing 42 in turn mounted in boss 43 formed in the front wall.24 of the housing. In the form shown, each gear 37 and 38 is integrally formed with a gear hub 44 and 45, respectively, which may carry, if desired, set screws (not shown) for preventing axial movement of the gears on the shafts.

As shown in FIG. 3, the shaft 39 carries relatively adjacent its opposite end a spur gear 46 which can be keyed to the shaft as previously described. The gear 46 in turn meshingly engages spur gear 47 which is keyed to 'a shaft 48 which is in the form shown directly above the shaft 39. Sleeves 49 and 50 are pinned to the shafts 39 and 48, respectively, by set screws commonly designated at 51 for spacing the gears 46 and 47 on the respective shafts.

The front end of the shaft 48 is relatively reduced as indicated at 53 and is rotatably mounted in bushing 54 in turn mounted in an opening 55 in boss 56 formed in the front wall 24 of the housing. A can feed wheel 57 is aflixed to the extreme forward end of the reduced shaft portion 53 by pinning or the like for rotation therewith. The wheel 57 functions in the usual manner to turn the can when the same is mounted on the device to permit the top of the can to be continually cut by the can cutter blade as will be presently described.

A lever generally indicated at 60 is pivotally mounted on the front wall 24 of the housing by means of a pivot screw 61 which is threadedly received in a boss 62 extending outwardly from the housing wall 24. The lever 60 includes a top generally horizontal portion 63 and a vertical depending portion 64. A can cutter blade 65 is mounted on the lever portion 64 by the pivot screw 61 and by a fastener 66 relatively adjacent the bottom thereof. The blade 65 includes a lower cutting tip 67 which is adapted, when the lever 60 is moved into its operative FIG. 2 position, to pierce the top of the can and to continually sever the same as the can turning wheel 57 rotates. Clockwise rotation of the lever 60 will raise the cutting tip 67 from the plane of the top of the can and thereby permit removal thereof following the complete severing of the can top. To provide controlled movement of the lever 60 relative to the housing wall 24, the latter is formed with an arcuate slot 68 through which a pin or rivet 69 extends, with the inner end of the rivet or pin being flanged as indicated at 70. A spacer sleeve 71 is disposed around the pin 69 between the cutter blade 65 and the housing wall 24 to provide movement of the lever and the cutter blade carried thereby in -a relatively vertical plane.

A generally L-shaped wire bracket 72 is also mounted on the front wall 24 of the housing, with the front leg 73 of the bracket carrying a generally vertically directed pin 74 for mounting a permanent magnet member '75 which functions in the usual manner to retain the top of the can when the same has been completely severed from the body portion of the can.

The can opening mechanism just described is per se conventional and functions to remove the top of the can in a well-known manner. To briefly summarize, the lever 60 is pivoted upwardly to raise the tip 67 of the cutter blade 65 vertically above the can drive wheel 57. The can whose top is to be removed is then placed so that the top bead or flange thereof abuts the outer face of the can turning wheel 57 at the top thereof. The lever 60 is then pivoted downwardly until the cutter tip 67 pierces the top of the can, with the pivotal movement of the lever 60 being limited by the arcuate slot 68. The can is clamped tightly between the cutter blade 65 and the can drive wheel 57 whereby rotation of the latter turns the can to continuously sever the top of the can by the cutting tip 67. In the form shown, a switch 76 is mounted on the top wall of the housing and carries a push button 77 exteriorly exposed at the top of the device for actuating the motor and thus the can turning wheel 57. Alternatively, or in addition to the actuating means shown, motor actuation can be made dependent upon movement of the lever 60 so as to automatically actuate the motor when the lever has been moved to its operative FIG. 2 position. Also, conventional means may be provided for temporarily latching the lever 60 in its lower, operative position. The top of the can when removed is retained by the magnet 75. To remove the can, the lever 60 is pivoted upwardly to release the clamped engagement of the can to permit the same to be removed from the opening mechanism.

Referring now to the mechanism for slitting the can and cutting the thus formed strip into relatively small pieces, the opposite or rear end of the shaft 39 extends through a spacing sleeve 80, best seen in FIGS. 3 and 6, mounted in openings formed in partition plate 20 and a second plate 81 mounted on the plate 20 outwardly thereof by screw type fasteners commonly designated at 82. A slitter wheel 83 is keyed as shown at 84 to the shaft 39 outwardly of the plate 81 and is retained on the shaft by means of cap screw 85 which is received in a threaded opening formed in the outer end of the shaft 39. A washer 86 is also preferably provided immediately outwardly of the slitter wheel 83.

The end of the shaft 48 carrying the spur gear 47 extends through sleeve 90 mounted in a mounting block 91 in turn mounted on the partition plate 20. As best shown in FIG. 4, the opposite ends of the block 91 are vertically slotted as indicated at 92 and 93 for receiving the plate 20, which is provided with a cutout recess in such area for receiving the block. The mounting block 91 is biased downwardly by means to be presently described.

The extreme outer end of the shaft 48 has keyed thereto as shown at 94 a wheel 95 cooperable with the slitter wheel 83 to feed and slit a can positioned therebetween. The wheel 95 is formed with a beveled annular slot 96 complemental in angularity to the annular beveled cutting edge 97 formed on the slitter wheel 83. Thus, during rotation of the slitter wheel 83 and top wheel 95, the cutting edge 97 of the former extends tangentially into the groove or slot 96 of the latter with the edge 97 slitting the can in a manner to be hereinafter described in more detail.

A rubber block 100 is carried by the mounting block 91 at the upper end thereof, with the top of the rubber block being engaged by the head of an adjusting screw 101 in turn mounted in a threaded opening formed in boss 102 extending downwardly from the top wall of the housing 10. The mounting block 91 is resiliently biased downwardly by the rubber block 100, with the extent of such bias being regulatable by the adjusting screw 101. Simultaneously, the spur gear 47 is urged into meshing engagement with the spur gear 46. It will be understood that equivalent means other than the rubber block 100 could be employed for providing the desired resilient biasing of the wheel 95, for example, an adjustable spring or the like.

The slitter Wheel 83 is {formed on the periphery thereof on both sides of the cutting edge 97 with a continuous series of ridges commonly designated at 104 which are slightly inclined relative to the axis of the slitter wheel. During the slitting operation, the slitter wheel 83 is rotated in a clockwise direction, reference being made to the FIGS. 1 and 5 showing thereof, whereby the ridges 104 tend continually to force the can inwardly into engagement with the plate 81 to produce a strip of uniform width.

A cutter wheel 106 formed preferably of hardened steel 18 mounted on the drive shaft 36, by keying or the like, at the rear end thereof, with the shaft in such region extendng through a bushing 107, FIG. 6, mounted in openings n the plates 20 and 81 and being bored and threaded at its outer end lfor receiving a mounting screw 108 for securing the cutter wheel 106 thereto. A washer 109 is provided to complete the assembly. The cutter wheel 106 is formed with :a series of spaced teeth 110 the leading edges of which perform the strip cutting.

The plate 81 is formed with relatively thick sections 112, 113 and 114, with sections 112 and 113 defining therebetween a slot or opening 115 through which the can strip is fed to the cutter wheel 106. The edges of the sections 112-114 adjacent the cutter wheel 106 are preferably hardened and are contoured to generally correspond with the radius of the cutter wheel. The top inner edge 116 of the section 113 supports the strip while the same is continuously severed by the cutter wheel 106 as the strip is fed thereto. The severed can pieces shown commonly at 117 fall into the area below the cutter wheel between the plate sections 113 and 114 for collection therebelow by a tray 120. As shown in FIG. 3, the tray 120 when not in use can be shoved forwardly on the bottom wall 12 to permit mounting of the cover 16. When the can cutting mechanism is to be employed, the cover 16 is removed as described and the tray 120 can be moved outwardly to position the same directly beneath the cutter wheel 106. To facilitate handling of the tray, the same is provided with a front handle 121. In the form shown, a bar 122 extends between the side walls of the housing just above the tray 1-20 to maintain the same in a generally horizontal position.

In the normal use of the device as a slitter and cutter, the can C, with the top removed, is placed between the slitter wheel 83 and the top wheel 95, which are held in biased engagement by the block 100. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the can is held so that the axis is generally horizontal, with the top edge thereof being inserted between the wheels 83 and 95 at a slight angle relative to the axis of the slitting wheel. Upon actuation of the motor 30 by switch 77 or the like, the can is turned by the wheels 83 and 95 as described, with the wheels rotating in opposite directions. The can is continually forced inwardly toward the plate 81 by the ridges 104 formed on the slitter wheel 83 so that the can is slit by the edge 97 to form a strip of uniform width. It will be noted that by virtue of the beveled cutting edge 97, the strip cut from the can will be shape-d accordingly, with the strip being relatively flat in the region thereof adjacent the plate 81 and beveled in the region thereof contacting the cutting edge 97.

The strip is fed through the slot 115 into the rotating cutter wheel 106 the teeth 110 of which pass adjacent the edge 116 of the plate section 113 thereby severing the strip. The length of each strip piece is controlled by the distance between successive teeth 110. The strip pieces 117 drop downwardly below the cutter wheel 106 and can be suitably collected in tray 120 which may be positioned immediately below the same. In this manner, the cylindrical wall of the can can be automatically slit and out thus leaving only the top and bottom of the can intact. These too may be slit and severed into relatively small pieces in the same manner as described merely by feeding the same into the slitting area between the wheels 83 and 95 to form a series of small strips. Alternatively, the device can be stopped when the cylindrical wall of the can has been completely slit and cut, thereby leaving only the can top and bottom (for normal refuse disposal.

It will thus be seen that the present invention uniquely provides an apparatus for both removing the top of the can and for slitting the cylindrical wall of the can to form a continuous strip, with such strip being thereafter severed to form relatively small individual pieces. Such pieces may be conveniently collected by a tray as illustrated which can be emptied periodically as necessary. The total volume occupied by the thus formed relatively small can pieces is considerably less than the volume occupied by the normal empty can. Thus, the problem of storage is considerably reduced and the noted problem of sanitation present with normal can and refuse storage is substantially lessened.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes might be made from the invention disclosed without, however, departing from the spirit of the invention. For example in the form shown the can opener .turning wheel 57 and the can slitting wheels 83 and are driven from the same shaft at the same speed. A different gearing arrangement could be provided as Well to vary the speed of either the can drive wheel or the can slitting and cutter wheels.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the details described, provided the features stated in any of the following claims or the equivalent of such be employed.

I therefore, particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. An electrically operated can opener and cutting device, comprising a housing, motor means mounted in said housing, first means driven by said motor means for removing the top of such can from the body thereof, and second means driven by said motor means for slitting the body of said can to form a continuous, relatively narrow strip and to sever said strip into a plurality of relatively small pieces.

2. An electrically operated can opener and cutting device of the type described, comprising a housing, motor means mounted in said housing, means driven by said motor means for removing the top of such can from the body thereof, slitter means drivingly connected to said motor means for slitting the cylindrical body of said can to form a continuous, relatively narrow strip, and means mounted adjacent said slitter means for severing said strip as it is fed thereto to form therefrom a plurality of relatively small pieces.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said slitter means comprises a bottom slitter wheel having an annular cutting blade at the periphery thereof and. a top wheel tangentially engaging said slitter wheel, and means for rotating such wheels in opposite directions for continually turning a can clamped therebetween and slitting the body thereof by said cutting blade.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said cutting blade is beveled and adapted to extend into a complemental annular opening formed in the periphery of said top wheel for slitting said can body.

5. The combination of claim 3 further including means for resiliently biasing said top wheel into engagement with said slitter wheel.

6. The combination of claim 3 further including means for axially urging said cam toward said cutting blade of said slitter wheel thereby to form a strip of uniform width.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said means for axially urging said can comprises a series of ridges formed on the periphery of said slitter wheel angled relative to the axis thereof, said ridges forcing said can inwardly during rotation of said slitter wheel.

8. A combination can opener and cutter, comprising a housing, motor means mounted in said housing, drive shaft means driven by said motor means, can opening mechanism at the exterior of said housing comprising a can drive Wheel and a cooperative cutter for separating the top of a can from the body thereof, said can drive wheel being operatively connected to said drive shaft, can cutting means mounted at the exterior of said housing comprising a first wheel operatively driven by said drive shaft and having an annular cutting blade formed on the periphery thereof and a second wheel mounted above said first wheel and resiliently engaging the same, said second wheel being operatively driven by said drive shaft and rotating in an opposite direction to that of said first wheel thereby to automatically rotate said can for continually slitting the same into a strip, and means rotatably mounted adjacent the outlet of said first and second wheels for severing said strip into a plurality of relatively small pieces as said strip is directed thereto.

9. The combination of claim 3 further including means for axially urging said can toward said cutting blade of said slitter wheel thereby to form a strip of uniform width.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein said means for axially urging said can toward said cutting blade comprises a series of ridges formed in the periphery of said slitter wheel, said ridges being disposed at an angle relative to the axis of said slitter wheel and serving to continually force said can inwardly toward said cutting blade during rotation thereof.

11. The combination of claim 8 wherein said means for severing said strip comprises a wheel formed with a series of cutting teeth on the periphery thereof, said teeth engaging and severing said strip as it is fed thereto.

12. A combination can opener and cutter, comprising a housing, motor means mounted in said housing, drive shaft means rotatably driven by said motor means, can opening mechanism at the exterior of said housing comprising a can drive wheel driven by said drive shaft and a cooperative cutter pivotally mounted on said housing, a slitter wheel operatively driven by said drive shaft and having an annular cutting blade formed on the periphery thereof, a second wheel mounted above said slitter wheel and resiliently engaging the same, said second wheel being formed with an annular groove for receiving said cutting blade of said slitter wheel for slitting a can into a relatively narrow strip, means for continually axially urging said can toward said blade on said slitter wheel thereby to form a strip of uniform width, and means rotatably mounted adjacent the outlet of said slitter and 8 second wheels for severing said strip into a plurality of relatively small pieces as said strip is directed thereto.

13. A device for slitting a cylindrical body to form a relatively narrow strip and thereafter severing the thus formed strip into a plurality of small pieces, comprising a housing, motor means mounted in said housing, drive shaft means driven by said motor means, a slitter wheel mounted at the exterior of said housing, said slitter wheel being rotatably driven by said drive shaft and carrying an annular cutting edge, a second wheel mounted above said slitter wheel and formed with an annular recess for receiving said cutting edge of said slitter wheel, means for biasing said second wheel into resilient engagement with said slitter wheel, said second wheel being operatively driven by said drive shaft in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of said slitter wheel thereby to continually turn said cylindrical body for slitting the same to form a relatively narrow strip, and means mounted in said housing adjacent the outlet of said slitter and second wheels and operatively driven by said drive shaft for severing said strip fed thereto to form relatively small strip pieces.

14. The combination of claim 13 wherein said slitter wheel is formed with a series of ridges on the periphery, said ridges being annular relative to the axis of said slitter wheel thereby to continually axially urge said body inwardly toward said cutting edge to form a strip of uniform width.

No references cited.

WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner.

GIL WEIDENFELD, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN ELECTRICALLY OPERATED CAN OPENER AND CUTTING DEVICE, COMPRISING A HOUSING, MOTOR MEANS MOUNTED IN SAID HOUSING, FIRST MEANS DRIVEN BY SAID MOTOR MEANS FOR REMOVING THE TOP OF SUCH FROM THE BODY THEREOF, AND SECOND MEANS DRIVEN BY SAID MOTOR MEANS FOR SLITTING THE BODY OF SAID CAN TO FORM A CONTINUOUS, RELATIVELY NARROW STRIP AND TO SERVER STRIP INTO A PLURALITY OF RELATIVELY SMALL PIECES. 